Live

Ginuwine, Dru Hill + 112 - 20th Anniversary Tour: Indigo, o2, London 5/10/17

For people of a certain age (cough), the late 90s and early 2000s were a golden era for R'n'B.

It was a period that gave birth to hundreds of timeless tracks which still send dancefloors into a frenzy two decades later.

For those who headed to the Indigo at the o2, there was a chance to see the acts behind an astonishing number of these songs.

Unsurprisingly the triple-bill of Ginuwine, Dru Hill and 112 sold out in next to no time, meaning a second night was quickly added.

First to the stage on the second night was Ginuwine, who explained that the performers were swapping the order they appeared each night.
He proved to be an excellent opener, still sounding fresh on "None of Ur Friend's Business".

There was a moment of reflection as he told the audience he had been performing for 21 years, and he took a moment to pay tribute to Aaliyah, who died in 2001.

It was no surprise that he saved the track he's best known for last as the place went mad when the opening bars of "Pony" blasted out, and the singer was soon off the stage and in the midst of the crowd as the venue relieved the 1990s.

It was a great way to get the night started, and it wasn't long before Dru Hill - who had opened the previous night - appeared onstage. "Enter The Dru" was one of the decade's defining R'n'B records when it was released in 1998.

Bleach blond lead singer Sisqo still looks as distinctive as he ever did, and it was great to see the group still going strong.

Singer Jazz emerged onstage to perform a superb version of "In My Bed", and the four-strong outfit were in good voice for "These Are The Times".

An energetic and rock-tinged "How Deep Is Your Love". An R'n'B track that brings back happy memories 19 years after its release, was among the highlights of their set.

Sisqo also used the opportunity to play solo material, including worldwide megahit "Thong Song" which had the crowd dancing.

Because of the packed schedule each act was limited to around 45 minutes onstage, but this gave them a decent chance to showcase what they could do.

There was a brief interlude before the final group of the evening, 112, took to the stage.

There was a time when 112 were everywhere, and the list of artists they have worked with is extraordinary.

They're no mean performers on their own, and an early version of "It's Over Now" showed they're as comfortable doing ballads as the bangers, and the audience were singing along word-for-word.

The four singers tore through an energetic set which included some of their biggest hits including "Na Na Na Na", "Only You", "Cupid" and of course "Peaches & Cream".

New track "Dangerous Games" also showed 112 aren't just a nostalgia act these days.

It may be some time since a lot of the material was first recorded, but the night showed that the R'n'B kings can still draw a crowd and put on a great show.

With D'Angelo due to appear in March, it looks like the appetite for classic R'n'B isn't going to die anytime soon.

PHOTOS: DAVE BURKE
Words Dave Burke